Announcements 2023

6 September 2023: Update as of 29 September 2023 Gemini North and Gemini South telescopes are now back on sky and are currently collecting science data. Restoration of remote access for external astronomers is ongoing, and we anticipate that it will be restored over the coming weeks. This concludes the updates of this incident. Update as of 5 September 2023 The recovery process of the affected facilities and telescopes is ongoing. As part of that process, we have now brought the Gemini.edu website back online. We have also posted updates about the NOIRLab and Gemini Calls for Proposals on the NOIRLab Science Site and Gemini.edu. Update as of 24 August 2023 NOIRLab is continuing its efforts to diligently investigate and resolve the 1 August cybersecurity incident that occurred in its computer systems. This incident resulted in the temporary shutdown of Gemini North and South telescopes and some of the smaller telescopes on Cerro …

5 September 2023: SatCons 101, a new educational curriculum for learning about the design of large satellite constellations and their impact on astronomy, has been launched by the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (CPS), co-hosted by the NSF’s NOIRLab and the SKA Observatory (SKAO) on behalf of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). While satellite constellations unquestionably bring social benefits, such as broadband communication and Global Position Systems (GPS), they can also have negative impacts on astronomy and the environment. To educate interested parties about these issues, SatCons 101 presents eight video modules designed to teach the fundamentals of satellite constellations. Topics covered are their design, their purpose, their impact on optical/infrared and radio astronomy, and international regulations on their use of space. The curriculum is designed to be unbiased, presenting participants with data and facts that will help bring awareness …

29 August 2023: The fifth (August 2023) edition of The NOIRLab Mirror newsletter is now available. This biannual publication focuses on news for the NOIRLab community and showcases the science, technology, and developments across the five NOIRLab Programs: the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the International Gemini Observatory, Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), and Vera C. Rubin Observatory Operations. The August 2023 issue features a collection of science highlights spanning the breadth of NOIRLab facilities and Programs, a review of citizen-science research on light pollution, pathways forward for astronomy and satellite constellations, a lookback at Gemini North’s return to operations following the repair of its primary mirror, Rubin Observatory and DEI training, updates on the US Extremely Large Telescope Program, much more. The NOIRLab Mirror is free and notifications of the release of future electronic issues can be requested here. A free subscription for printed copies can …

25 August 2023: The number of publications in peer-reviewed journals is among the most important productivity metrics in astronomy, astrophysics, and all of science. NSF’s NOIRLab, which encompasses many of the world’s most powerful and productive telescopes, continues to provide exceptional service to the international astronomical community, leading to impressive representation in peer-reviewed publications. Since 2014 the observatories comprising NOIRLab have seen a steady increase in total publications, from 535 refereed publications in the 2014 calendar year [1] to 703 refereed publications in 2022. This trend positions NOIRLab in the upper echelon of world-class observatories, alongside the European Southern Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope. Breaking this trend down by Program, the International Gemini Observatory recorded 262 refereed publications in 2022, comprising 170 refereed publications from the Gemini North telescope and 132 from the Gemini South telescope (some publications used both telescopes). Among these publications were highly impactful discoveries, such as Gemini North’s …

23 August 2023: Project and Science News The Rubin 2023 Operations-hosted Project and Community Workshop (PCW) brought colleagues and community together from August 7-11. More than 300 people attended the meeting in person at the University Marriott in Tucson, Arizona, and an additional 160 people registered to participate virtually in plenaries and select breakout sessions. This year’s PCW was the first to be facilitated by the Rubin Operations team after many years of annual meetings organized by Rubin Construction. Read more details about the meeting in a recent news post, and see a group photo in the Gallery. On August 10th, Rubin Observatory published the first in a series of press releases highlighting different areas of Rubin science. The overall goal for these monthly releases is to familiarize a broad, public audience with Rubin science leading up to first light and the start of science operations. Read “Visitors from Distant Stars: Rubin Observatory …

2 August 2023: An asteroid discovery algorithm — designed to uncover near-Earth asteroids for Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s upcoming 10-year survey of the night sky — has identified its first potentially hazardous asteroid, a term for asteroids that currently pose no risk to Earth but may deserve further study. Rubin Observatory is a Program of NSF’s NOIRLab and will conduct the unprecedented, decade-long survey of the sky called the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) when it begins operations in early 2025. Rubin is jointly funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Energy (DOE). NOIRLab, along with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, will operate Rubin. The roughly 200-meter-long asteroid, designated 2022 SF289, was discovered during a test drive of the algorithm with the NASA-funded ATLAS survey by a team at the University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy. Finding this object confirms that the next-generation algorithm, known as HelioLinc3D, …

28 July 2023: On 20 July 2023 AURA, together with the United States Embassy in Chile, held the Bicentennial Educational Meeting in celebration of 200 years of official relations between Chile and the United States. As one of the activities, the AURA facilities in La Serena hosted their first ever educational fair, welcoming more than 230 students from the Coquimbo Region to participate in a variety of science education activities. Ruth Botts, a representative of the United States Embassy in Chile, was also in attendance and was greeted by Alejandra Voigt, the director of AURA in Chile, and Stuartt Corder, the deputy director of NOIRLab. Botts noted: "I’m happy to be at the AURA complex with the young people who represent the future of our countries. Many thanks to the AURA team for their collaboration and commitment in this meeting, as well as the Chilean-American Institute of La Serena.” She added: “When we …

25 July 2023: Project and Science News We look forward to seeing many of you very soon, at the Rubin Project and Community Workshop 2023 (PCW) in Tucson, AZ, August 7-11. Virtual registration and poster submission are both still open — you can find the most up-to-date information on the meeting website (Login Required). A winter storm hit Cerro Pachón late Tuesday, July 11th, blanketing Rubin Observatory and the surrounding area with about eight inches (20 cm) of snow (photo). The road leading to the summit was closed for just one day (Wednesday July 12th), and the safety team used the time resourcefully to conduct a winter driving safety training class for Rubin Observers and nighttime support staff. A new 4K timelapse video of the evening sky over Rubin is available in the Gallery, with footage provided by Rodolfo Canestrari, a member of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) In-kind contributing team. …

12 July 2023: Project & Science News The agenda for the Rubin Operations Project and Community Workshop 2023 (PCW) is now available on the meeting website (Login Required). The PCW is scheduled for the week of August 7, 2023, at the Marriott University Park in Tucson, AZ. The Rubin Science Advisory Committee (SAC) is soliciting nominations (including self-nominations) for new members. Nominations from international partners, including the French and UK communities, are especially encouraged. SAC membership is for a term of two years, with the possibility of renewal. More information and a link to the nomination form can be found on community.lsst.org. The SAC extends thanks to members who are finishing their terms. Rachel Bean, David Kirkby, Meg Schwamb, Stephen Smartt, Lucianne Walkowicz, and Risa Wechsler have all contributed enormously to the activities of the SAC, strengthening Rubin Observatory in many ways. The Rubin Data Management (DM) team has succeeded in enabling default …

27 June 2023: From comets and pulsars to supernovae and exoplanets, many exciting cosmic discoveries have been made by dedicated amateur astronomers, school students, and citizen scientists. Some of these intrepid science sleuths also partner with professional astronomers, using their combined resources and analytic skills to answer particularly vexing questions. One important area of research that has benefited greatly from citizen scientists is the search for brown dwarfs, vast spheres of gas that are not quite massive enough to become stars yet are too massive to be considered planets. Since brown dwarfs lack the internal nuclear reactions that power stars, they are extremely faint and difficult to detect, even with world-class observatories. Many could be hiding in our own galactic backyard, within just a few dozen light-years from the Sun. To turbocharge the hunt for these cool cosmic neighbors, NSF’s NOIRLab has launched Backyard Worlds: Cool Neighbors, a citizen-science program that combines machine-learning …

23 June 2023: NSF’s NOIRLab is excited to announce that public visits will soon restart at our observatories and base facilities in Arizona, Hawai‘i, and Chile. Complete with a new website, revamped guided tours, and even a virtual tours system, probing the secrets of the night sky is now only one click away. Exploring the Universe starts on the ground, with many of our astronomers operating world-class observatories. However, scientists are not the only ones privy to the fruitful discoveries that the cosmos has to offer. With plans to reopen various facilities around the world, NOIRLab is committed to providing the unique experience of being at the forefront of astronomy research. From observing the mechanics of our specially-designed telescopes to learning about the discoveries made with cutting-edge technology, our mission is to educate the general public by bringing these cosmic adventures down to Earth. Our newly launched web page hosts a plethora of …

21 June 2023: Project & Science News In-person registration for the Rubin Operations Project and Community Workshop 2023 (PCW) has reached capacity (300), but if you haven’t registered and want to attend please add your name to the waitlist—we anticipate some cancellations and we’ll admit those on the list as spaces become available. Some sessions will also be available virtually. The meeting will take place at theMarriott University Park in Tucson, AZ the week of August 7, 2023. For more information, visit the meeting website. Power on the summit is back on after a planned shutdown earlier this month, and regular activities have resumed after a short ramp-up period. The main reason for the shutdown was to safely connect a newly-installed 1.1-megawatt generator and its automatic transfer switch. This generator is a robust and powerful piece of equipment that will provide more reliable, stable power on the summit. The summit team took advantage …

13 June 2023: AURA and NSF’s NOIRLab in Chile have donated to the Municipality of Paihuano a new, dark-sky compliant lighting system for the Pisco Elqui main square. This is the first lighting project in the Coquimbo Region to comply with the new dark-sky lighting standards that will be adopted soon. The 22 new compliant light fittings have been installed and were switched on as part of a World Environment Day fair held in the square. The Mayor of Paihuano, Hernán Ahumada, AURA's Head of Mission in Chile, Alejandra Voigt, the AURA Deputy Director, Hernán Bustos, and the councilors of Paihuano and other local authorities were in attendance. At the fair local entrepreneurs who promote caring for the environment, as well as other local institutions, were visited by students and residents of the area. NOIRLab astronomer, Roque Ruiz, gave a talk on the protection of the dark sky before the new lights were …

31 May 2023: Project & Science News Registration is open for the Rubin Operations Project and Community Workshop 2023 (PCW). The in-person meeting will take place at the Marriott University Park in Tucson, AZ the week of August 7, 2023, with some sessions available online. Please note: in-person participation is limited to 300 attendees so please register ASAP. Registration will close on July 14th or earlier if we reach capacity. For more information and a registration link, visit the meeting website. Registration is open for LSST@Europe5: Towards LSST science, together! The meeting will be held in Poreč, Croatia, September 25–29, and will be conducted in hybrid format to enable access for remote participants and to a wider community. Please see the meeting website for details and a link to register. Rubin is gearing up to recognize Pride Month in June! Watch for a LGBTQIA+ focused TED talk discussion (these happen on the 2nd …

26 May 2023: The NOIRLab Ambassador program, a joint initiative with Vera C. Rubin Observatory Construction, launches today. Its aim is to increase public engagement with NOIRLab and its Programs, including Rubin Observatory, by working together with motivated and enthusiastic volunteers to share our mission and science with new audiences. As a first step, NOIRLab is seeking diverse, personable, creative, and enthusiastic individuals with a range of skills who have an interest in promoting NOIRLab’s scientific discoveries, education initiatives, and activities to the public. This outreach can include social media engagement, online feature writing and image galleries, and in-person presentation to local communities and broader networks. A one-year commitment is expected. Those selected for the Ambassadors program may contribute in a variety of ways, including audiovisual (images and video), music, art (including crafts), education, social media, and advocacy for dark skies. There is no deadline and exceptional candidates will be considered throughout the …

18 May 2023: The G7 Science & Technology Ministers met in Sendai, Japan, over the weekend. Their position on various issues was captured in an official communiqué adopted ahead of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan 19–21 May 2023. The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. “We recognize the importance of continued discussion, in the UN COPUOS and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) frameworks, as well as with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on the impact of large constellations of satellites on astronomy for the protection of the dark and quiet skies.” — G7 Science and Technology Ministers’ Communique Telescopes operating in the optical, near-infrared, and radio wavelengths are all threatened by the large number of satellites being launched into near-Earth orbit. The IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU CPS), co-hosted by the SKAO and …

28 April 2023: Both AURA in Chile and NSF’s NOIRLab in Chile have been advocates for the formation of the Regional Commission for the Protection of the Night Skies of the Coquimbo Region in Chile, and on Monday 17 April 2023 in the offices of AURA in La Serena, Chile, local regional authorities signed a decree that established it. This new commission, which will help preserve and protect Chile’s exceptional night skies from light pollution, will be chaired by the Regional Presidential Delegate, Rubén Quezada. The Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation will serve as head of the technical secretariat. AURA and NOIRLab will actively participate in this public-private commission, which will be integrated into various regional ministerial secretariats, municipalities, international observatories, and universities. The commission will develop strategies and outline actions to preserve the night sky and address the challenges of light pollution. The first meeting of this commission was …

18 April 2023: Project & Science News The Rubin Operations Project and Community Workshop 2023 (PCW) will take place at the Marriott University Park in Tucson, AZ the week of August 7, 2023. The meeting website is now live and we are accepting session proposals (Login required) through May 19th (requires Rubin credentials or creation of an account). You can also indicate interest in childcare grants using this form (deadline April 28th). Following a Construction/Commissioning Schedule workshop held on April 6th, the updated Project completion date has been adjusted to February 2025, with System First Light forecast for October 2024. The completion date is a forecast from the detailed project plan to completion that will be updated as we progress through the challenging but rewarding next steps of system integration and test. The forecast date does not include the expected schedule contingency we will build into the plan forward as we work with …

12 April 2023: Big Astronomy — a multifaceted outreach project that includes the award-winning planetarium show Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries — is hosting a community day on Astronomy Day, 29 April 2023, as well as month-long activities in celebration of astronomy. Individuals and organizations are invited to participate by holding events in locations where the award-winning program will be presented publicly. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Big Astronomy partners with multiple organizations as a research and outreach project that highlights the diverse people who enable discoveries at world-class observatories in Chile. The team’s planetarium show features several Programs of and staff with NSF’s NOIRLab, including Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and Gemini South and Vera C. Rubin Observatory on Cerro Pachón. Various formats — such as fulldome or HD flat screen — are available to license for free or at a very low cost in English, Spanish, German, and French. Throughout April, …

5 April 2023: Project & Science News Planning is in full swing for the Rubin Operations Project and Community Workshop 2023 (PCW) which will take place at theMarriott University Park in Tucson, AZ the week of August 7, 2023. Visit the meeting website to submit session proposals, which are due May 19th (requires Rubin credentials or creation of an account). NEW THIS YEAR: Everyone is welcome to submit a request by June 16th (Login required) to contribute a talk or poster in-person at the PCW (also requires Rubin credentials or account creation), and students are especially encouraged. More information is available on community.lsst.org. The summit team has done some heavy lifting on Cerro Pachón in the last couple of weeks, swapping out the components installed on the Telescope Mount Assembly (TMA). First, they removed the mass surrogate for the M1M3 mirror assembly (a yellow cross-shaped structure that approximates the mass of the glass …